According to Prof K.K. Abraham of Pala Marketing
Society, a leading cooperative engaged in rubber
trading, even during February, when normally tapping
is stopped, growers kept tapping this year because of
the high prices.

"Normally people stop tapping in the beginning of
February till end of March. But this year some didn't
stop tapping at all," Prof Abraham said.

Unexpected rains during last week and this week in
rubber growing areas in Kerala also helped. Tapping is
now on in full swing and yield too has improved, he
said.

PRICES MAY STAY HIGH
The increase in production is unlikely to ease rubber
prices, Prof Abraham said. "The domestic market is
driven more by trends in international markets rather
than local conditions."

Although prices dropped in the past few days, Prof
Abraham said rubber would stay high in the coming
months. "I don't expect a crash. The possibility of
prices rising is still there and we will see much
higher prices during June and July," he said.

The demand for Indian rubber in international markets
is still on. During April-February, exports stood at
61,493 tonnes over 43,172 tonnes in the same period a
year ago.

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